Context:
Recently, Rohini Sounding Rocket was launched from the mobile launch pad from Kulasekarapattinam spaceport
Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport:
- State – Tamil Nadu
- 2nd satellites launch facility of ISRO and would be completed within 2 years to launch small satellite launch vehicle (SSLVs) in order to inject small satellites into a predetermined orbit
- Capacity – To launch 24 satellites per year
- Need for new launcher –
- The rockets launched from ISRO at Sriharikota will 1st heads towards east and turns south to avoid the Sri Lanka’s airspace costing more fuel and reduce payload capacity
- Advantages – Comparing to Sriharkotta –
- Can head straight in the southern direction without any turns
- Can get closer to equator easily than Sriharikota
- Reduces the time and very less fuel wastage
Kulasekaranpattinam, better known for its Dussehra celebrations at Sri Mutharamman Temple
Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV):
- Designed by – ISRO
- Aim – To launch light-weight satellites at low costs
- Use –To launch satellites that weigh less than 500 kg into the lower earth orbit
Read more about: PSLV vs. GSLV
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements:
1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits.
2. IRNSS covers entire India and about 5500 sq. km beyond its borders.
3. India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) None
Answer: (a)
